I Must Get To Jesus That's All

I started out for the church to go
hear some church folk sing.
But when I heard the church bells peal,
my ears began to ring.

I saw the church choir mouths move.
I watched as they clapped their hands.
But I could hear no sound at all.
And then they began to dance.

There was a rhythm without any rhyme
in the sanctuary that day
As they mimed before my eyes,
I saw it was always that way.
And so, right then and there,
I turned my eyes aside and
I bowed my head to pray.

O Lord My God I cannot hear a
word these people say.
What must I do, O my God?
Should I go or must I stay?

I came inside to hear this choir
make a joyful noise in song.
I can see their lips move and
my ears listen to hear.
But, Lord, is this where I belong?

Can they not see how pained I am?
Can they not see me frown?
I am here in Your House, Lord,
but I can hear no sound.
For all is as quiet as a mouse.
You are not around.

Ah Lord God, when I open my eyes,
please let me know.
Must I stay here in this place or
should I get up and go?

Wait!
What is that precious sound I hear?
I know that voice which lingers near.
That melody is so full of life.
And now my ears are clear

But something happened while I had sat
praying in the church that day.
They had all gotten up and had gone home.
But I got to stay right there and pray.

And when I opened up my eyes,
I found much to my surprise,
I was sitting there alone
They had all gotten up and left me
sitting there when they all got up
and went home.

The Spirit of God lifted me up.
He embraced me in His arms.

My child, He said, I am here for you
For I heard when you did call.
I don't want no choir -- no song.
I must get to Jesus that's all!
His church is where I belong.

Copyright (c) 2005. Rev. Lainie Dowell.
The Mountainside Ministries. Columbia, MD.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Received Sunday, January 30, 2005, 6:57 a.m. EST.

Slipping Into Sunday Morning

Never has there been a day that remains unlike
any other in the whole world.

There is just something about Sunday morning.
Even when the sun fails to appear, the Son shows up.

Even when the children's laughter is hushed,
the strains of their hearts ring out loud and
clear through the open strands of life's frail gates.

Even when all the people gather and sit close and
yet far apart from one another's spirit, the Spirit
of spirits comes in and draws each of them closer
through His own Spirit.

Even when all of the noises from within and without
try to shut out the whispers of loving kindness from
above,the Whisperer appears and shuts all of those
noises up and out.

Even when the close of Sunday gives way to another
Monday, Sunday breathes enough breath to purify
every passing hour that fades into night with each
going down of the sun to bring forth a brand new
Sun Day.

Slipping into Sunday Morning is like
free falling into a great big vat of honey ~
It is so sweet and
It sticks far past Monday
On thru to the next Sunday morning.

And so . . .

When you slip into the pulpit chair and watch
for the Lord as the people slip into their pews,
prayerfully slip your hand up and let God slip His
own hand into yours.

I am slipping but not sliding. . .

Copyright (c) 2005. Rev. Lainie Dowell. The Mountainside Ministries. Columbia, MD. All rights reserved worldwide.

Rec'd Sat., January 28, 2005, 6:30 p.m. EST

The Rivers of God And The Rivers of Man

A Prophetic Word

Lord? How do you tame a river?

That question is as old as the river that refuses to be harnessed ~
refuses to be kept under control by man.
We are at the mercy of God alone.
No dam can block the flow.
No mere cage is able to contain that flood.
The river that can be controlled by man is only a stream.
And that cannot be restrained for but for so long.

Without God's voice to halt the flood ~
that river will come up and overflow its banks.
What man thought was recreation and forgot that the
river has life to be cared for, also, has become plain.

Rivers that wash away mountains reveal the
rushing water of God's own mouth.

The power of God is uncontrolled by anyone.

Rivers that found a way to wake up all mankind.
Though all of the earth belongs to God ~
man has made himself a god who oh can make a river.


Copyright (c) 2005. Rev. Lainie Dowell.
The Mountainside Ministries.
Columbia, MD. All rights reserved worldwide.
Received Thursday, January 13, 2005, 7:20 p.m. EST

One More Safe Crossing

I thank You, Lord, for the safe crossing one more time.
There are so many twists and turns through this course
called life. But, somehow, we seem to always make it through.

Seasons come and seasons go.
Days turn into night and night turns back into day again.
The stars twinkle and they shine when the sun shines high up
in the heavens.

And, when the sun goes down to the other side of earth,
the moonlight appears to take up its place like clockwork.
In fact, the clock works as timely as the seasons of life.

These things change but yet our God never changes.
He is consistently as changeless as He is matchless.
And, just as candlelight, as small as it is, flickers and
pierces the dark night ~ so, too, does the appearance
of God shines forth and dispels every dark spot.

For, when our God appears, then the brightest day
or night ever before known is sure to come with Him.

At His command and by the clap of His hands,
earth quickly steps aside and lets the heavens abide
there in its place.

Then, with our hearts filled with gratitude,
we assume a worshipful attitude.
And, bowing low upon our face,
we sing forth praises before God's Throne
filled with grace.

God, we worship You, alone.
For above all Your creatures great and small ~
You have loved us the very best of all.

Thank You, one more time, Lord Jesus,
for one more safe crossing.


Silent Whisperings . . .
Wearer of The Iron Robe
Copyright (c) 2005. Rev. Lainie Dowell.
The Mountainside Ministries. Columbia, MD.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Received Thursday, January 27, 2005

I Am Desert Walking

Rev. Lainie Dowell

Let us go out to the desert.
We can get some rest.
But, before we do that,
we have to prepare.

Because ~
- The air is hot and dry in the desert
- The desert is barren and friendless
- The shade is nowhere to be found
- The water is hidden from view,
if there is any around anywhere
- The night is colder than the daytime
is hot

There. . .
What you have is an overview.
Somewhat of a scaled down look at
what awaits your trek to the desert.

And, if you should take your family
and friends along for the sake of
companionship when you arise from
your rest ~ well, then, do not expect
to have much of a rest?

And, you can forget about the thanks
for allowing others to accompany you
to the desert. Grumbling, mumbling . .
Scripture calls it murmuring and complaining.

Ask the Israelites.

Bowlegged time is at hand.
Cross-eyed time is here.
Run-you-ragged-and-silly time.

Rest?

Forget it.

Did you not know there is no rest for the weary?
That is an old adage to be sure, but it is also
a truism nevertheless.

If cool, calm, and collected time is what
you are after,

If reflection time is your aim,

If need-to-be-alone time is your heart's desire,

Then~
Clothe yourself in God's righteousness.
Wrap up in His mighty presence.
Dress down in your appearance.
It is filthy rags, anyway, and all of your
garments are covered with sin
instead of stained by Jesus's blood.

And~
If you have not believed and received
Jesus as your personal Savior and as
the Lord of your life,

Then ~
You will forever remain parched in a
desert land crawling all around on
sinking sand.

It is just so good to get away and to know
you are not alone in the desert.



Silent Whisperings . . .
Wearer of the Iron Robe
Copyright (c) 2004. Rev. Lainie Dowell.
The Mountainside Ministries. Columbia, MD.
All rights reserved worldwide.
Rec'd Tuesday, August 10, 2004, 7:13 a.m. EST.
A Shepherd Woman's Heart